clip

ABSTRACT

A clip for holding a first article in contact with a second article, comprising a first portion for insertion into a groove in the first article and a second portion abutting against the second article, the first portion extending substantially at right angles to the second portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clip for holding a first article,such as an under-slung sink, to a second article, such as a worksurface, and a method relating thereto.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When fitting an under-slung stainless steel sink to a granite worksurface, a strong connection is required. However, the life of a sink isconsiderably shorter than that of a granite worktop and it is thereforedesirable that the sink should be removed and replaced at a later date.

Granite is an extremely hard material which is very difficult to drill.Conventional clips supplied with stainless steel sinks require drillingof the work surface, and are thus very difficult to use with granite.

An alternative method of fixing an under-slung sink is to make asoftwood frame, place the sink in position on the frame, place siliconesealant around the edge of the sink and fit the granite work surfaceover the sink. This has the problem that if the sink needs to bereplaced, the granite work surface first needs to be lifted. This meansthat damage to the work top, surrounding tiles and fittings is likely.Replacing an under-slung sink is thus time consuming and costly and mayresult in a work area around the sink that is damaged.

A further alternative is to place silicone sealant around the top of thesink, and use a two-part resin to adhere the sink in place. Not only isit time consuming to use the two-part resin, but also problems occurwith the resin failing and the sink becoming detached from the worksurface. This is potentially unsafe as well as unsatisfactory for theuser of the sink.

An aim of the present invention is to address the problems that theprior art has described herein or elsewhere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a clip forholding a first article in contact with a second article, comprising afirst portion for insertion into a groove in the first article and asecond portion abutting against the second article, the first portionextending substantially at right angles to the second portion.

Preferably the clip is adapted such that the greater a separating forcebetween the first and second articles, the stronger the grip of theclip.

Preferably the clip is resilient. The clip may have a first portion inthe form of a shallow V shape.

Preferably the first portion is adapted to be held in the groove byfriction.

Preferably the first article is a work surface, and may be a kitchenwork surface. Preferably, the work surface is granite.

Preferably the second article is a sink. Alternatively the secondarticle may be a kitchen unit or a support leg.

Preferably the clip is made of spring steel. Preferably the clip is 2 mmor 3 mm in width.

Preferably the groove is 15 mm or 22 mm in depth. Preferably the grooveis 2.5 mm or 4 mm in width.

The second article may be a temporary fencing arrangement.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a clipfor holding a sink in contact with a work surface, comprising a firstportion for insertion into a groove in the work surface and a secondportion abutting against the sink.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a sinkclip as hereinbefore described.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a sinkarrangement comprising a sink and a plurality of clips, wherein theclips are as hereinbefore described.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided amethod of attaching a first article to a second article, comprising thesteps of cutting at least one groove in the first article, locating thesecond article on the first article, and inserting each of at least oneclips into a corresponding groove to attach the first article to thesecond article.

Preferably, the step of cutting the at least one groove in the firstarticle comprises cutting the at least one groove substantially parallelto an edge of the second article. The at least one groove may be cut bymeans of an angle grinder. The angle grinder may be a 41″ angle grinder.

Preferably, the step of inserting each clip into a corresponding one ofsaid at least one groove comprises partially inserting each clip intothe corresponding groove, optionally adjusting the position of thesecond article, and then fully inserting each clip into thecorresponding groove.

Preferably, the step of partially inserting each clip into thecorresponding groove is carried out by means of the fingers of a fitter.

Preferably, the step of fully inserting each clip into the correspondinggroove is carried out by means of a hammer.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided amethod of attaching an under-slung sink to a work surface, comprisingthe steps of cutting a plurality of grooves in the lower surface of thework surface at a distance from an opening in the work surface underwhich the sink is to be located, locating the sink under the opening,inserting each of a plurality of clips into a corresponding groove.

Preferably the step of placing silicone around the edge of the sink iscarried out before the step of locating the sink in position under anopening.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided amethod of attaching a first article to a second article, wherein theclip is as hereinbefore described.

The present invention includes any combination of the herein referred tofeatures or limitations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodimentsof the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, byway of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clip according to a first embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view from below of a sink installed on a work surface bymeans of the clips of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view from the side of a sink installed on awork surface by means of the clips of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a clip arrangement of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 a shows a cross sectional view through the groove of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 b shows a cross sectional view through the groove of FIG. 4 whenan alternative clip is inserted;

FIG. 6 is a view from below of a leg arrangement for supporting a worksurface using the clip of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a temporary fencing arrangement using afurther embodiment of the clip of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a clip 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention.The clip 10 comprises a first portion 12 and a second portion 14extending substantially at right angles to the first portion 12. Theclip 10 is designed to have a degree of resilience as will be describedbelow. The clip 10 may be made from 3 mm or 2 mm thick spring steel.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a sink 22 which has been attached to the lowersurface of a granite work surface 20 by means of clips 10. The granitework surface 20 has a number of grooves 24 machined into the lowersurface, each groove 24 being parallel to the closest edge of the sink22. Each groove 24 is 22 mm deep and 4 mm wide or 15 mm deep and 2.5 mmwide, according to the thickness of the clip 10.

In use, the sink is placed in position under an opening 26 in thegranite work surface 20. The first portion 12 of each clip 10 isreceived in a respective groove 24. The relative size of the firstportion 12 of the clip and the groove 24 are determined such that theclip 10 can be partially inserted in the groove 24 using fingerpressure, and is held in position in the groove 24 by friction betweenthe first portion 12 and the surface of the groove. In this position theclips 10 are able carry the weight of the sink 22 on their secondportions 14. This enables a fitter to move the sink on the clips untilthe sink 22 is in the correct position. The clips 10 are also designedsuch that the first portions 12 can be fully inserted in the respectivegrooves 24 by tapping with a hammer. In the fully installed positioneach clip 10 is capable of carrying a greater amount weight placed onthe second portion 14. Indeed, the shape of the clip 10 means that inthe fully installed position, as the force on the second portion 14increases, the clip 10 becomes more strongly wedged within the groove24.

The first portion 12 of the clip 10 may have a shallow V shape asillustrated in FIG. 1 and 5 a. The V shape is resilient and providesthree areas of strong contact with the inside of the groove.Alternatively, first portion 12′ of the clip 10 may be flat, asillustrated in FIG. 5 b. The fact that the work surface 20 is made ofgranite means that the interior of the groove provides a very hard, highfriction surface which is excellent for the clip to engage with.

An exemplary method of installing an under-slung sink 22 will now bedescribed. The granite work surface 20 is placed with its lower sidefacing upwards. The sink 22 is placed in the desired position on thelower side of the granite work surface 20. A line is then drawn aroundthe sink 22 with chalk and the sink 22 removed. At each of the pointsaround the chalk line where it is desired to place a clip 10, a groove24 is cut parallel to the chalk line and at 20 mm from the chalk lineand externally of the chalk line. Each groove 24 is cut using a 41″angle grinder. The granite work surface 20 is then located in itsdesired position.

When attaching the sink 22 to the granite work surface 20, silicone isfirst applied around a flange 28 of the sink 22 and the sink 22 liftedinto place. The silicone provides a water tight seal between the sink 22and the granite work surface 20. The first portion 12 of each of theclips 10 may then be located in a partially inserted position inrespective grooves 24 by pressing with a finger or thumb. In thepartially inserted position, the clips 10 are sufficiently secure withinthe grooves 24 to hold the sink 22 in place whilst allowing play betweenthe sink 22 and the work surface 20. This allows the sink 22 to beaccurately aligned and yet be supported by the clips 10. A hammer, suchas a pin hammer, is then used to finally tap the clips 10 to a fullyinstalled position in the granite work surface 20. This secures the sink22 firmly between the second portion 14 of the clip 10 and the worksurface 20.

Once installed, the shape of the clip 10 is such that the more downwardspressure that is applied to the sink 22, and hence to the second portion14 of the clip 10, the more securely the clip 10 is held in therespective groove 24. The limiting factor for failure of the sink 22arrangement when under load is therefore likely to be failure of thesink 22 itself.

The simple design of the clip 10 of the present invention enables thefitter to install an under-slung sink 22 easily and quickly, and alsoensures its safeness and sturdiness. A standard sink 22 can be fittedand secured by the clips 10 in around 10 to 15 minutes.

The clips 10 not only secure the sink 22 to the granite work surface 20,but is capable of withstanding extreme pressure that may be encounteredin retail and domestic environments, such as the weight of an averageperson.

When it is desired to replace a sink 22, the clips 10 can be tappedsideways by means of a hammer to release the sink 22 from the worksurface 20. The clips 10 may have to be tapped several times in opposingdirections before they finally work loose. Thus the work surface 20 canremain in position, avoiding unnecessary damage.

Although the clip 10 has been described above for use in supporting asink 22, it could be used in any application where one item needs to beheld in close contact with another item. When a separating force isapplied to the items the clip 10 serves to hold the items in evenstronger contact.

For example, the clips 10 may be used to fit kitchen units to granitework surfaces. Again, the clips 10 are strong in use, but are easilyremovable, thus avoiding damage to both the units and the work surfaces.

FIG. 6 shows a work surface 40 in a kitchen that requires a support leg42. The support leg 42 may be provided with a plate fitting 44. Theplate fitting 44 is shown as triangular, but may be any suitable shape.Three grooves 46 are cut in the lower surface of the work surface 40,one at the centre of each side of the plate fitting 44, parallel to theside and at a predetermined distance from the side. Each groove 46receives in use a clip 10 for securing the plate fitting 44 to the lowersurface of the work surface 40 as described above.

FIG. 7 shows temporary safety fencing 60 of the type used to keeppedestrian and/or traffic away from road works. The fencing 60 includesa weighted base 62 to prevent the fencing 60 from falling over. However,this weighting is often not sufficient in high winds or if the fencing60 is accidentally or deliberately pushed over. One or more larger scaleversions 64 of the clip 10 described above may be used to secure thebase 62 to a road surface. A first portion 70 of the clip 64 is insertedin a groove 66 cut in the road surface, whilst a second portion 72 ofthe clip 10 bears on an inner surface of a recess 68 in the base 62. Ifa force is applied to the base, tending to lift the base from thetarmac, the clip will apply a counter force to the inner surface of therecess 68.

The clip 10 functions most effectively in conjunction with grooves 24cut in hard surfaces such as granite, but could be used with any othersuitable surfaces.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications might be made without departing from the scope of theinvention, as defined in the appended claims.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filedconcurrently with or previous to this specification in connection withthis application and which are open to public inspection with thisspecification, and the contents of all such papers and documents areincorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including anyaccompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps ofany method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination,except combinations where at least some of such features and/or stepsare mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanyingclaims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, orany novel combination, of the steps of any method or process sodisclosed.

1-31. (canceled)
 32. A clip for releasably clamping an article to asupport that comprises a hard material and includes a surface having agroove machined therein, wherein the clip comprises an inserted portionfor insertion into the groove and a clamping portion for abuttingagainst the article in order to, in use, clamp the article between theclamping portion and the surface of the support, and wherein the clip isshaped such that, in use, when the clamping portion abuts the article,the inserted portion is angled across the groove such that a firstlocation on the inserted portion engages a near side of the grooverelative to the clamping portion and a second location on the insertedportion spaced from the first location and towards the surface engages afar side of the groove relative to the clamping portion.
 33. The clipaccording to claim 32, wherein the clip is resilient and made of springsteel.
 34. The clip according to claim 32, wherein the inserted portionforms a shallow V shape.
 35. A work surface clip comprising a clip asclaimed in claim
 32. 36. A granite work surface clip comprising a clipas claimed in claim
 32. 37. A sink clip comprising a clip as claimed inclaim
 32. 38. A kitchen unit clip comprising a clip as claimed in claim32.
 39. A support leg clip comprising a clip as claimed in claim
 32. 40.A sink arrangement comprising a sink and a plurality of sink clips,wherein the sink clips are as claimed in claim
 37. 41. The sinkarrangement according to claim 40, wherein the inserted portion is heldin the groove by friction.
 42. A method of attaching an article to asupport comprising a hard material, the method comprising the steps ofcutting at least one groove in the support, locating the article on thesupport, and inserting a clip into each groove to attach the firstarticle to the second article, wherein the clip is as claimed in claim32.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of cutting the at leastone groove in the support comprises cutting the at least one groovesubstantially parallel to an edge of the article and cut by means of anangle grinder.
 44. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of insertinga clip into each groove comprises partially inserting each clip into thecorresponding groove, optionally adjusting the position of the articlewith respect to the support, and then fully inserting each clip into thecorresponding groove to firmly clamp the article.
 45. A method ofattaching an under-slung sink to a work surface using sink clips asclaimed in claim 37, wherein the method comprises the steps according tothe method as claimed in claim
 42. 46. The method of claim 45, whereinthe step of placing silicone around the edge of the sink is carried outbefore the step of locating the sink in position under an opening.